The management of Ro Corporation is investigating automating a process. Old equipment, with a current salvage value of $11,000, would be replaced by a new machine. The new machine would be purchased for $243,000 and would have a 9 year useful life and no salvage value. By automating the process, the company would save $69,000 per year in cash operating costs. The simple rate of return on the investment is closest to (Ignore income taxes.):

28.4%

18.1%

11.1%

17.3%